Celebrate National Autism Acceptance Month at the Carter

The Amon Carter Museum of American Art (the Carter) is celebrating National Autism Acceptance Month this April with two free events for neurodivergent individuals from kids to adults: Sensory Explorations and Meet Up at the Museum.

For over 10 years, the Carter has been committed to ensuring that the Museum is accessible to visitors of all ages and abilities. These two free events provide additional opportunities for all of our neurodivergent visitors to encounter the wonder and beauty of American creativity during their visit to the Carter, with engaging activities designed to support a variety of accessibility needs. Beyond access events, the Carter also offers a variety of accessibility tools and resources, from large-print labels to tactile tool kits, and continues to work with organizations in the community to enhance and improve accessibility offerings at the Museum.

“At the Carter, we believe that art should be accessible to everyone, and we are committed to providing inclusive experiences for visitors of all ages and abilities,” said Amanda Blake, Director of Education, Library, and Visitor Experience. “For more than a decade, we have worked to ensure that neurodivergent visitors and their families feel welcomed and supported through specialized events, resources, and partnerships. We are proud to continue expanding these efforts and fostering an environment where all visitors can engage with American art in meaningful ways.”

Photo courtesy of Amon Carter Museum of American Art

On Saturday, April 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., families with children of all ages on the autism spectrum are invited to join us at the Carter for Sensory Explorations: Food. Sensory Explorations is a free event offered twice a year providing a creative outlet for families. During this free event, visitors connect with artworks that feature food in the galleries, enjoy an interactive performance, and get creative during a hands-on, art-making experience. While the needs of individuals with autism are the focus of this event, it is also fun for parents, siblings, and friends.

On Thursday, April 17, from 5:30–7:30 p.m., visitors are invited to join us at the Carter for Meet Up at the Museum: Food. Meet Up at the Museum is a free sensory-friendly social event for neurodivergent adults and their guests offered in the spring and fall. During April’s free event, visitors can explore art through sensory tools, make new connections, exchange recipes, and get creative with an art-making activity. While the needs of individuals with autism are the focus of this event, it is also fun for family and friends.

Photo courtesy of Amon Carter Museum of American Art

In addition to reoccurring Sensory Explorations and Meet Up at the Museum, the Carter also offers additional access opportunities available on request for individuals and groups. Artful Moments is designed for visitors with dementia and their care partners, where visitors connect with artworks and share stories together in a social setting. During Close Encounters, visitors with low or no vision and their guests participate in a tour and use sensory tools, including raised-line drawings and 3D-printed copies of sculptures, to connect with artworks. And children or adults with cognitive and/or physical disabilities can engage in multisensory activities and create a work of art during our Connect to Art program.

“Each year, we look forward to celebrating art, creativity, and connection with the families and adults in our community through our access events and resources,” stated Alli Rogers Andreen, Manager of Family and Access Programs. “Whether people are visiting for neurodivergent-specific events or stopping by on a Friday afternoon, our priority is to create an environment where learners of all ages and abilities feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves as they make meaningful connections with art.”

Photo courtesy of Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Beyond access events, the Carter also offers a variety of accessibility tools and resources. Museum visitors can request tactile tools kits during their visit, which feature 3D-printed copies and raised-line drawings of select artworks from the collection; visual descriptions in braille and large print; and additional sensory objects to experience works of art while in the galleries. The Carter also has audio and video stops throughout the Museum featuring additional context for works of art from artists, Museum staff, community members, and others, as well as assistive listening devices during events and tours. Each gallery in the Museum, from the permanent collection to the special exhibitions, has booklets with large-print labels. Recently, the Carter began offering EnChroma color-blind glasses for both children and adults, available for check-out at the Information Desk. Free visual description and touch tours of the collection are available with advanced scheduling; artworks with visual descriptions may also be found on our website. Since 2021, the Carter has offered American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation at many of the Museum’s events. With advance notice, visitors may request ASL interpretation for events where it is not already available.

The Carter’s commitment to these audiences is strengthened by partnerships with professionals skilled in serving visitors with special needs. Since 2014, Lighthouse for the Blind Fort Worth has partnered with the Carter to help us develop raised-line drawings and visual descriptions for our visitors and alt text for the Museum’s website. The Carter has partnered with TCU FACES (Families, Autism, and Child Emotional Studies) since 2018 for our access events, such as Sensory Explorations, to structure our programs and invite families to access events, as well as provide staff training. The Carter has also been an official clinical site for Tarrant Community College Sign Language Program since 2021, which allows their students to practice signing for lectures, member events, and exhibition openings. Dementia Friendly Fort Worth has partnered with the Carter since 2019, allowing us to offer free virtual tours of the collection for the organization during their social events. Since 2020, the Carter has partnered with the University of North Texas, which provides exceptional training for our staff and insight into how to best format our access events at the Museum.

To learn more about access events and resources at the Carter, visit cartermuseum.org/Access.